Annabelle
Saturday, the weekend off from school. I flung my legs over the side of my bed and sat up. I yawned and stretched before getting up. I rubbed my eyes and walked to my bathroom, I splashed cool water on my face and wiped off with a towel. I walked back into my bedroom and plopped down on my chair, then I booted up the computer. Two missed messages; one from Midnight H, and the other from a screen name I didn't recognize.
Midnight H: Message me when you're not busy. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, wanting to type that I can talk right then, but I quickly closed the message. Hunter probably was going to ask if I told Devin about the other half, or something like that.
The next one took me by surprise. Naybr: Annabelle. I stared at the message, whoever message me knew my real name, and I made sure to use a private name that nobody could trace back to me.
I sent a message back to the person. Computer Nerd: Who is this?
The person sent a message right back. Naybr: You should know, and don't play dumb blonde even though you are blonde.
Computer Nerd: I have no idea who you are.
Naybr: Mix the letters.
I looked at the name, N-A-Y-B-R, then the light bulb flashed. Computer Nerd: Bryan, how?
Naybr: Wasn't that hard, most people put what they enjoy as their screen name. For instance, I could have put Football Star, but I didn't want to go with the flow. I'm surprised you did.
Computer Nerd: Still, most people of this generation are into electronics, mainly phones and computers.
Naybr: After I narrowed it down to computers, I looked at who you've been messaging; Cool Kat, Lighting L. Those were dead giveaways. By the way, who on earth is Midnight H and Mysterious LI?
Computer Nerd: Like I would tell you. What do you want?
Naybr: Nothing.
Computer Nerd: You want something.
Naybr: Why did you sick your boyfriend on me?
Computer Nerd: Hunter is not my boyfriend. And he did on his own will, not me.
Naybr: Well he acts like a boyfriend. Most of my guys has a girlfriend, and they act just like Hunter when their girlfriend is afraid of someone.
Computer Nerd: He is NOT my boyfriend. Just leave me alone, Bryan!
Naybr: Not until you agree.
Computer Nerd: I will never ever agree to that stupid offer. With that I closed of the chat box and immediately pressed ignore on the screen name so he couldn't message me again.
I leaned back heavily against my seat and bit my lip. I clicked on Midnight H and message him back with a hi.
Midnight H: You OK? He immediately sent me, it was like he already knew that Bryan was bothering me.
Computer Nerd: No.
Midnight H: Bryan. My suspicions proved.
Computer Nerd: Yes.
Midnight H: Meet me outside your house in five minutes.
I was confused why he said meet him outside, but then it dawned on me that Hunter may have already guessed that Bryan had figured out my screen name, and if he could do that then he might can hack into the system to figure out what we were talking about. Sometimes it was weird how Hunter was always one step ahead on anything.
I threw on some clothes, a t-shirt I got from Teenage Geniuses magazine, blue jean shorts, and a black jacket. I grab my cell phone and head to the door, only to be stopped by my brother at the door.
His moss green eyes showed hurt and protectiveness, “And where are you going, sis?” He asked, a sharp edge in his tone.
“I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Lydia, I thought I could handle it.” I apologized.
He sighed and shoved his hand into his brown locks, “Sorry? Ann, you are getting bullied by a snotty girl and her groupies, I think that is worthy of telling your brother. Now where you going?”
“I'm just meeting up with Hunter,” I answered.
He nodded, “And where are you meeting at?”
“Outside the house, why?” I asked, raising a brow.
“I've decided that I will drive for now on, that means school, the cafe, anywhere. I mean it, sis, if you go anywhere you tell me and I'll drive you.” He stated.
“Devin,” I sighed.
He grasp my shoulders, “I will hear nothing, I have my mind set and..,” he started to say.
“And when you have your mind set on something, it's impossible to convince of anything else.” I finished for him.
He grinned, “I trust Hunter, that's the only reason why I'm letting you walk wherever you two are going.” He said.
“OK, see you later, bro,” I replied.
“Stay safe, sis,” he said and kissed my forehead. I rolled my eyes and opened the door. I walked down steps and onto the sidewalk. I looked both ways and frowned, where was he?
I heard footsteps behind me, I turned and saw Hunter leaning on the fence post, he walked over to me and grasped my upper arms, “What has he done this time?” He asked, eyes searching mine.
“He figured out my screen name, don't worry I ignored him so hopefully he can't message me.” I answered.
“Great, now he's messaging you. Don't open any unknown screen names for now on, okay?” He advised.
“OK, and don't answer to anyone with the screen name Naybr, that's Bryan.” I added.
He frowned and wrapped his arms around me, “You're shivering,” he murmured.
I gave him a curious glance and he nodded to my hands, they were shaking lightly, “Oh, I didn't noticed that.”
“It's not cold out,” he stated, looking at me with thoes clear blue eyes.
“Yeah, in a month it'll be June,” I whispered.
“You okay?” He asked, concern dancing in his eyes.
I placed my head in the crook of his neck and sighed, “Honestly, no. I'm not okay, I'm terrified.” I admitted softly.
His arms tightened around me, “Annie,” he whispered.
I gave a small laugh, “Thanks for telling my brother about the bullying, now he's going to drive me everywhere. I don't think that's a bad idea now.” I confessed.
He chuckled, “Yes, I believe that would be a good idea.”
I pulled back just enough, “Is it really going to get worse?” I asked.
He sobered, “When Zeke got bullied, he told me it only progressed from name calling and the occasional beatings to ambushes.” He answered.
I closed my eyes, Zeke said that in my dream. I opened them again, “I guess it's bad enough that the one that is doing the bullying lives on my street.”
He grinned, but it was not a bright one, “Yeah, if your brother wasn't making you ride with him, I would've insisted on walking you to school myself.” He proclaimed.
I smiled, “You are always looking after me.” I stated.
“Of course, your my best friend. I wouldn't want to see my best friend beaten up if I could prevent it. Of course that would mean if you would allow it.” He said.
My smile dwindled, “I'm sorry. I just don't want you to get hurt.” I replied, softly.
He gave me a confused look, “What do you mean, Annie?”
“I'm worried, I know Bryan is afraid you, but what if...,” I couldn't finish the sentence.
He smiled, “While you're the one getting bullied, you're worried about me.”
I rolled my eyes, “Of course, your my best friend.”
He raised a brow, “Now you know how I feel.”
“Oh,” I murmured. His sea blue eyes bored into mine, his eyes quietly retold the past times where he worried over me. “I've never thought...,” I looked down, hiding my eyes behind my eyelashes.
He smirked and brushed a strand a hair behind my ear, “Your my best friend, Annie, if anything happen to you, I'll be crushed.”
“I'm sorry,” I whispered.
“It's fine,” he answered shortly. He frowned, “What did Bryan want, anyway?”
I sighed, “He asked why I sicked my boyfriend on him.” I confessed.
He smirked, “He thought I was your boyfriend.” He said.
“Don't get a big head,” I replied.
He laughed, “Don't worry, I won't. So what did you say?” He asked.
“I informed him that you aren't my boyfriend,” I replied.
He rolled his eyes, “That sounds like you,” he said.
“When I told him to leave me alone period, he said not until I agree to his stupid offer.” I stated.
“Of course,” he mumbled. His fingers brushed my forehead, “He's getting desperate. And it doesn't help that he's not used to not getting what he wants.”
“I'm fine,” I assured him, “He can't hurt me.”
He leaned his forehead on mine, “He can physically.” He murmured.
“Hunter, I'm not going to be like Zeke,” I promised.
“Can't help but worry,” he admitted.
I smiled, “Don't I know.”
He rolled his eyes, “So, what do want to do today?”
I bit my lip, “Honestly, I have no clue. I was going to work on my website before you know who messaged me, so I'm lost.”
He smirked, “You are not going to stay inside on a day like this, I don't care if it's for your website or not.”
It was my turn to roll my eyes, “Thought you were going to say something like that.”
He chuckled and pulled back, “Come on.” He said.
“Fine,” I replied and followed.
For most of the afternoon to around four in the evening, we were at the park, our most favorite place to be. Of course it wasn't the best park around, it didn't have skate ramps, wifi, or anything like that. But it was opened space with a lot of room, and it had these huge pines that stretched to the skies.
Most of the time Hunter would be annoying by disappearing behind the trees and popping right out in front of me, scaring me to death. Or he would surprised me by tickling me at the time where I was distracted.
We were walking out over by the old pine that was planted when the park was opened. A phone rang, Hunter's. He pulled it out and talked to whoever that was at the end of the line for a few minutes then turned to me.
“I've gotta run, Mom wants me to do a few errands while I'm out,” he paused and studied me. “It's on the other side of town, so you need to call your brother when you plan to go home.”
I rolled my eyes, “You sound like a older brother right now.”
He laughed, “Well, you're not the type to go with the flow when you think you don't need or have to. I'm just telling you that you need and have to, desperately, go with the flow. Bryan might decide to ambush you when you walk home, and you don't have me to break his nose for you if he tries to do so.”
“I'm not a damsel in distress,” I informed.
His laughter died and was replaced with a frown, “I have my ways of figuring out if he did drive you or if you walked.” He implied.
“I know, don't worry,” I smiled, “I'll call my brother when I leave.”
“Okay, I'll message you when I can,” he said, his tone implying that he still didn't believe me. “See you later, Ann.”
“You too, Hunter,” I replied. I watched him take off in the direction to the east side of town. I sighed and walked under the tree. Both him and Devin have been worried for me, Hunter for Bryan and Devin for Lydia. At least only Bryan lives on my street, but he's the most dangerous of all his gang members and Lydia's combined.
I walked around the perimeter of the park and end up at the entrance/exit of the park that led to my street. I bit my lip, I didn't exactly promise I'll call Devin about picking me up, I just promised to call him. Of course I didn't like lying to him, but I didn't want Bryan think I'm dainty and scared, I sighed.
I took my phone out and dialed Devin's number, he picked up on the first ring.
“Did you put me on a special ring tone or 'Immediately Pick Up This Number' list?” I teased.
He laughed, “Now that you mentioned it, I just might.”
I groaned, “Me and my big mouth.”
“So, where are you and Hunter. Are you with Hunter right now?” He asked.
“We ended up going to the park after a little chat,” I admitted.
“Are you still at the park? Is Hunter still with you?” He asked, worry hinted in his voice.
I bit my lip, did I really want to lie to my brother? Was it really necessary? “Yeah, he's still here, we're about to head back now.” I replied.
I heard him sigh into the phone, “Good, so he's walking you back. Okay, I'll see you at home sis.”
I pressed the End button and returned my phone to my pocket. My tongue felt like it swelled and dried after I lied to Devin. I swallowed and began my walk home.
I felt the back of my neck tingle when I passed 120 Clyman Avenue, Bryan's house. I been nagging in my head how I should've let Devin drive me home, 'cause I had a feeling something was about to happen. And it did, like it did every time someone dismisses wise words from a friend or parent or whoever.
“Annabelle, what a surprise finding you walking alone without your boyfriend,” I heard from behind me, I kept walking. Bryan chuckled, “You're just going to ignore a neighbor like that?” And I kept walking, trying not to let Bryan get to me. Of course that didn't last long when he struck a nerve, “Of course you are, 'cause you don't have your boyfriend here to save you from the big 'ole bully.” He taunted.
I paused in my hurry to get away, my mistake. “Hunter is not my boyfriend, he's just a friend. “
“Like I said, he acts way more then 'just a friend.'” He said.
I tried to start walking again, but before I could get to far Bryan's hand snaked out and grasp my arm. “Bryan, leave me alone.”
His mouth was right next to my ear when he spoke, “Or you'll sick your 'friend' on me?”
I tried to shrug out of his grasp but failed miserably, “Bryan, I'm warning you, let me go.”
He laughed, “You can't do anything, I thought you already knew that.” He kicked me on the back of my knee which made me crumble to my knees.
A whimper came loose, “Bryan, you can't hurt me.”
He punched me square in the back, “I remember what Hunter said to me, 'I don't want to see her beaten on Monday or any other day', he said see. He'll never know about this, you'll probably be alright by Monday.” He smirked. He yanked my hair back, making my head bend backwards. Tears were already at my eyes. I saw the glint in his eyes and the devilish smirk on his face. I was in for a beating.
He yanked my hair again and forced me to stand up, he guided me behind his fence. It wasn't one of thoes metal fences with the little openings, this was a wooden one with no holes, hence nobody could see a little girl being beaten up. He threw me down, my face hitting the dirt. He kicked me, repeatedly, on my right leg, probably restraining me from getting up and running, I was faster then him and he knew it. He came in front of me and kneel and yanked my face where I could see him. “I'll admit that I am afraid of Hunter, even though I'm bigger then him, he still can pack a punch, or so my buddies say. I guess you'll be safe from being beaten at school, even though I know you love them, but what has to say out of school.”
“You couldn't do it that much because of my brother driving me or Hunter walking me to my house.” I said.
“Oh yes, Devin, the captain of the football team, the historical freshman that made so many touchdowns the score board broke. He doesn't suspect anything at the moment, so why bother.” He punch my cheek, and the side of my head. “As for Hunter, like I said, I wouldn't mess with that dude even if my life depended on it. But, maybe after this season of football I could deal with him.”
“Don't. You. Dare.” I warned through gritted teeth.
“Oh, so you do care for him,” he said.
“He's like a second brother to me, nothing more. But I still care for him,” I admitted.
“Hm,” he dropped me head, making my face meet the ground again. I shifted to where I was on my hands and knees, then worked my way up to my feet, my leg was killing me.
I clenched my fist, “Just leave him alone, please Bryan.” I pleaded.
He smiled and walked over to me where we were face to face, or face to nose, I had to tilt my head up a little to see his face. “Fine, I leave him alone.” He smirked, “So you manged to get to your feet after all, that's a shocker you barely have any muscle on your bones. Probably because you just sit behind a desk writing to poor losers over the internet.”
That snapped my cord, a cord that I didn't know I had until then, I punched him directly in the nose.
He was so surprise that he stumbled back, eyes wide open and hand to his nose. When he regained his footing, he looked at me in shock and pulled his hand away from his nose, it was red with his blood. The anger in his eyes hinted that my blood was about to join it. I ran, but I was going against a football star that just knew to tackle when the target was getting away, but in most instances the target was a ball, well in this case the target was me. I felt him slam into me, all 180 pounds hitting my pathetic 90 pound body. We rolled until he had my hands held over my head with one hand and my legs pinned down with his. He leaned down, our noses almost touching, blood trickled onto my face, “You're going to regret that, Annabelle.” He hissed. He pulled back and hit me over and over again in my chest, cheeks, forehead, my right eye, basically all over my poor face. I groaned with pain with each hit, why did I even hit him? I was gasping and he was shortened on breath when his rage finally ended.
He shifted to where a knee was on my chest, “I'm quite surprise that you actually hit me, and you actually made it bleed,” he admitted, “I must have underestimated your strength and rage.” He put pressure on my chest with his knee, I moaned softly, “That trumpet lifting must have helped, but not that much. They don't call me the Yellow Bull for nothing.” He put more pressure on my chest, “Just get this, Ann,” he said, “Never. Punch. Me. Again. Or you'll be in worse condition then this.” He finished, black dots appeared in my vision, I finally closed my eyes. I was surprised when he brushed the lock of hair that covered my left eye and tucked it behind my ear. “You shouldn't fight me, every single girl wants to have my attention, only a few girls ever get it.” He murmured, almost like he thought I was zoned out. After a few seconds passed, the pressure on my chest left, but I was still gasping for air.
Whenever I opened my eyes, I could tell it was passed six o'clock, that was not good. I tried to sit up quickly, but was met with a painful flash of pain and black spots at the corner of my vision. I slowly made my way up, groaning the whole time. I looked at my clothes. My leg, that Bryan kicked, had a gigantic bruise and there was scratches covered with blood and my t-shirt was a lost caused and death sentenced for me. I could only hope I could climb the ladder and pray that my window was unlock. At least my house was only two houses from me, but that was two houses to many.
I made to my house without passing out, a miracle, and I quietly climbed the side of the house and almost cried when the window was unlocked, I slid in and promptly fainted. At least I got in my room and not outside on the streets or in the backyard.
The first time I was conscious, my phone was going haywire, making my throbbing head worse. I was alert to enough to get it out and answer.
“ANNABELLE! WHERE ARE YOU?” Devin practically screamed.
“I'm in my room, I came in through the back window.” I croaked.
“What? Why? I thought Hunter was walking you home. Wait, you lied to me! For now on, I'm double checking things,” he huffed.
I heard footsteps coming to my bedroom, “I don't think you have to... worry... I won't... be doing that... anymore.”
I heard him turning my doorknob, “Why do you sou...,” I heard a phone drop and hurried footsteps. The next second Devin was cradling my head on his lap, tears were at the corner of his eyes, “Ann, what happened to you?” He choked.
“Hm...call...help... about to... faint...,” I stammered.
He was already talking on the phone by the time I finished. When he hung up his eyes met mine, “Ann, just stay with me. Don't you dare faint, you might not able to open your eyes for a very long time. What happened? Was it thoes girls?” He asked, trying to take my mind off of things.
“Not... Lydia and....her friends...it was...someone...else,” I mumbled.
“I thought so, girls can't do this much to you. So who is this someone else?” He asked.
My hand searched and found his, it took a lot of effort but it felt comforting. “A...boy...that...you know...he's...on the...football...team,” I said. “Please don't...tell...anyone...that won't....know...about this,” I added.
He squeezed my hand, “I don't know, sis, I'll see. But, a boy on the team?”
“Uh-huh...sophomore,” my eyes closed right when the paramedics arrived. The next times I drifted, all I saw was rushing gray and white ceiling and jumbled voices.
Zeke was sitting next to me when I opened my eyes again, well when I opened my eyes in my dream.
His brow was creased with worry and he had a frown, “I thought you told me you would ride with your brother for now on.” He said softly, hurt and sadness covered his voice.
I tried to sit up, but Zeke laid a gentle hand on my shoulder and pushed me down, being very tender and careful. “Don't try to sit up, just because this is a dream doesn't mean your mind decided to forget the injuries.
That was when I fully took a look at my surroundings, I was in a hospital. I was on one of thoes hospital beds, not under the covers but this was a dream, with a machine hooked up to me, making sure my heart beat was steady and so on. “Seems like my imagination doesn't want to be creative right now.” I muttered.
He smiled, “Your brain is trying to take care of these injuries, it's a little to focused to think about creativity.”
“Zeke,” I said.
He lifted a brow, “Hm?”
“Did the ambushes start this bad for you?” I asked quietly.
I saw memories flash back his cool breeze eyes. “Mm,” he stroke my cheek as he thought, his touch was cool and gentle. “They didn't start this bad, but they weren't far off the mark.” His eyes swept of my face, I bet he was looking at all the bruising I had. His eyes traveled down my face, down my arms, and stopped at my leg. His hand left my cheek and brushed over my mangled arms and settled on my leg. “What happened?” He asked softly, his eyes gentle and caring. His thumb brushed the bruise.
I closed my eyes, tears were at my eyes again, “I was walking back from the park, me and Hunter had gone there for the day. He had to leave to go do some errands while he was out, but the errands were opposite of my house so he couldn't drop me off as he did them. He told me to call my brother and have him come pick me up, I said I would.”
“Hm,” his whole hand was now on the bruise, but you could still see it around his hand, going about two to three inches before it stopped. “If you told him you would do that, how did you end up like this?”
“I told him I would call him, I just said call so therefore I didn't have to have him come and get me, I reasoned that I would be okay, I just didn't want Bryan to think I was dainty. I was so wrong on that decision.”
“So you went against three people that told you to not walk home but you do it anyway.” Those three people being him, Devin, and Hunter.
“Yeah, everything seemed alright, until I passed his house. It seem like he was waiting for me! He was right there, but I couldn't see him, I should've ran passed his house. I shouldn't paused when he went on about Hunter seeming to be more then a friend.” That made Zeke raise a brow but I was ranting. “I tried to get away, but my pause gave him a chance to catch up on me. He kicked me in the back of my knee, and yanked my hair. He made me follow him into his yard where he tossed me down the grass and where he kicked my poor thigh.”
He nodded, his hand went back to my cheek, effectively calming me down, “Don't get mad, you'll make your blood pressure rise and that just be another thing on your list. So, that what happened to make the bruise. I'm surprised you could walk on it. Or did you?”
“I did, he turned around and left me unattended for a minute. I slowly made my way to my feet. Maybe I wouldn't have been beaten so bad if I didn't.” I muttered.
This caught his attention, his eyes locked onto mine, “Why?”
I swallowed, here came the fun part. “He snapped a cord that had been built up over time, or that what I guessed. But that wasn't the major thing, because of the cord snap, I kinda punched him in the face.” Zeke's eyes widened, and his hand stopped moving. I saw him open his mouth, so I rushed the rest of the story, “He got really angry, I tried to run but failed because he tackled me. My fault for punching a football player, I guess. We rolled until he ended on top of me, my hands above my head and my legs pinned by his. Then he let out his fury on my chest, cheeks, and one of my eyes. Afterward, after his rage died out, he started talking to me while slowly putting pressure on my chest. I surprised that I didn't pass out there. He finally left and I got up, almost falling back down, but I made to my house, climbing the ladder and sliding in through the window, but then fainted as soon as my feet touched my bedroom floor. When I submerged from my unconsciousness, my phone was going off so I got it out, with struggle, and I answered it. It was Devin, he was the one that found me and he called the paramedics.” I finished. I kept my eyes down, waiting for him to say how stupid I was, but it never came.
I peeked through my lashes and found him smiling, I hadn't realized that his hand was stroking my cheek either. “You're the most bravest and craziest girl I know,” he said.
I blushed, “I just got angry.”
Zeke moved and laid down next to me, and yes I was that skinny. He wrapped his arms around me and gently moved me against his chest. “I never thought you could get that mad to hit someone, especially your bully.” He stated.
“Don't make me mad,” I replied.
He laughed softly, he cupped my chin carefully and tugged it up where I could meet his eyes, “You're so much braver than I was.”
“Zeke, how bad will it get?” I asked softly.
His laughter died and was replaced with a sad smile, “Looking at your first ambush, I believe that it might get to a point where you might have a near death experience.”
I gasped, “No way,” I whispered.
“I wish I could tell you I was kidding, but no it will get that bad if you let it carry on or not agree to his terms.” He replied. He pulled me closer, wrapping me up in his warmth. A shudder rolled through me.
“Zeke,” I murmured, “I don't think I can handle it much longer. What should I do? Should I end it or not?” 'End' in this sentence being suicide.
He stiffened, “I don't know what to say. Your friends and your family will dearly miss you and let's not forget the community. Everyone adores you and admires you, you done so much; volunteer at the the food pantry and dog pound, took it to yourself to have a tutor class in 5th grade, gave away all your birthday money to save the old museum. You've done so many things, Ann, and so many people will miss you. But if you do decide to...do it, I'll be there for you.” He promised.
“Thanks Zeke,” I whispered before everything went black.
ns 15.158.61.8da2
